The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CU Boulder chapter.
For over one hundred years, people have flocked to the cinema to watch their favorite stars grace the silver screen. With genres ranging from sci-fi to comedy and romance to fantasy, there’s something for everyone! As cliché as it may sound, one of my favorite types of film to enjoy are chick flicks. Chick flicks are movies geared towards a female demographic, which typically feature storylines about romance or teen life. For me personally? They’re comfort movies that evoke a sense of nostalgia from the slumber party-filled days of my adolescence. In no particular order, here are my top ten favorites:
- Bring It On (2000) – When Torrance Shipman takes over as captain for her award-winning cheerleading squad—the Rancho Carne Toros—she immediately feels the pressure after a teammate gets injured. Disaster strikes again when it’s revealed that their previous cheer captain had stolen all of their routines from another school’s cheerleading squad, the East Compton Clovers. Eager to prove both her innocence and her leadership abilities, Torrance sets out to choreograph all-new routines for the Toros before they go to defend their title at the national championships. If you’re looking for a funny film with amazing choreography, Bring It On is the perfect choice!
- Clueless (1995) – An iconic film that has inspired fashion, slang, and other pop culture phenomena over the years, Clueless is a necessary watch for any chick flick movie marathon! We follow Cher Horowitz, a not-so-typical teen girl who comes from a wealthy Beverly Hills family, as she makes her way through high school and its unique challenges. Cher takes on seemingly superficial projects like playing matchmaker, giving makeovers, and negotiating grades, which eventually lead to both her personal growth and her understanding of love. Between the clever, quotable script and the funky 90s fashion styling, it’s no wonder this movie is one of my favorites!
- Mean Girls (2004) – Based on the self-help book, “Queen Bees and Wannabes” by Rosalind Wiseman, Mean Girls is another classic chick flick that has changed the future of film and pop culture. In this movie we meet Cady Heron, a homeschooled teenager who had spent most of her childhood in South Africa, and observe as she tackles her first year at a public high school. After befriending two “art freaks”, she agrees to go undercover and help take down a clique of girls called “The Plastics.” Watching her get lured into the world of popularity and try to find her place in the chaos of high school is not only relatable but an incredibly entertaining (albeit, slightly exaggerated) experience for anyone who watches.
- Legally Blonde (2001) – I love a good “smart girl” movie and Legally Blonde, inspired by Amanda Brown’s novel of the same name, is one of my favorites! When sorority girl, Elle Woods, is dumped by her pre-law college boyfriend because she’s not serious enough for his future lifestyle, she’s devastated. After a particularly inspiring appointment at the nail salon, she decides to apply to Harvard Law School and follow him. Once arriving though, she realizes that winning him back won’t be easy and, frankly, it may not even be what she wants after all.
- Miss Congeniality (2000) – When FBI agent, Gracie Hart, is assigned to go undercover as a contestant in the Miss United States Beauty Pageant, she undergoes a tomboy’s worst nightmare—a massive makeover, an excessive amount of girl time, and a wardrobe filled with dresses, bikinis, and heels. Throughout the experience, however, she realizes that she may have underestimated her fellow beauty queens. Miss Congeniality will always have a special place in my heart because I love seeing a powerful woman kick ass on-screen and it was the first PG-13-rated movie I was allowed to see!
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006) – For those of us needing a high-fashion fix, The Devil Wears Prada is the perfect flick for movie night. Inspired by the novel of the same name by Lauren Weisberger, we follow Andy Sachs—a recent college graduate and aspiring journalist—who is hired as a personal assistant to the editor-in-chief of “Runway” magazine, Miranda Priestly. Hoping to work her way towards a more prominent press position, Andy endures the brutal treatment she receives from her boss and eventually steps up her game and becomes more fashion-forward herself. The question is: how much is she willing to sacrifice to succeed?
- The Princess Diaries (2001) – Based on Meg Cabot’s novel of the same name, The Princess Diaries explores what many girls dream of from a very young age—being a princess. When Mia Thermopolis finds out that she’s the heir to the throne of the (fictional) kingdom of Genovia, she faces the difficult decision of continuing her normal life in San Francisco or following in her father’s footsteps. This wholesome movie was a massive part of my adolescent years and taught me that I don’t need to change myself to please others or fit in.
- Barbie (2023) – Even though this film was only just released within the past year, it resonated with me on a deeper level and immediately became a favorite of mine. Inspired by the iconic doll that so many of us grew up playing with, this film explores Barbie’s adventure into the real world, where she experiences what life is like as a woman in our present-day society. With an incredibly self-aware script—featuring America Ferrera’s powerful, award-winning monologue (below)—and equally colorful sets and costumes, this movie is perfection in pink.
- Josie and the Pussycats (2001) – Inspired by the band of the same name from the Archie Comics comic book series, this film revolves around Josie McCoy, Melody Valentine, and Valerie Brown as they navigate their new lives as rock stars. The three bandmates soon realize celebrity life isn’t all fame and fortune though, as they’re faced with crazy conspiracies, jealous fans, and other threats to their friendship. Between the killer soundtrack and hilariously meta script, it’s no surprise why this movie became a cult classic (and one of my favorites of all time)!
- White Chicks (2004) – When two Black FBI Agents, Marcus Anthony II and Kevin Copeland, are tasked with guarding a pair of hotel heiresses at a charity fashion event in the Hamptons, they assume it’ll be a relatively easy gig compared to their usual dangerous drug busts. Much to their dismay, they end up spending their weekend in designer dresses, expensive heels, blonde wigs, and whiteface. White Chicks is very clearly controversial, but nonetheless a cult classic that highlights how prevalent white privilege is within our society. While I recognize that there are quite a few problematic moments within the film—it was definitely a product of its time and probably wouldn’t have survived today’s cancel culture—I can’t deny that it makes me laugh until I cry every time I watch it.
Honorable Mentions: Step Up, Freaky Friday, Pitch Perfect, The Proposal, 50 First Dates, What a Girl Wants, She’s The Man, and countless others.
Chick flicks are so much more than mindless entertainment—they’re comfort food for our souls and celebrations of both the complexities and joys of life. They make us laugh, cry, and everything in between, allowing us to bond over popcorn and shared life experiences. So grab your besties, your favorite snacks, a cozy blanket or two, and enjoy a “girl power” filled movie marathon with the films listed above!